SHABBAT EKEB

Pop Quiz: What was unique about B'nei Yisrael's clothing in the desert?

PURE WATER by Rabbi Reuven Semah

"The entire commandment that I command you today...so that you may live
and increase" (Debarim 8:1)

In the perashah this week Moshe continues speaking to his people
at the end of his life. In the above pasuk Moshe says: "Kol hamisvah -
the entire commandment". A singular version is being used to refer to
all of the misvot. Moshe stressed that no Jew could pick and choose
among commandments of the Torah. The blessings promised by Hashem were
contingent on Israel's acceptance of the entire Torah as if all of it, in
its entirety, is a single command. This is how Rashi learns this pasuk.
If we want to live a life of pleasure and to multiply as our pasuk
concludes, it comes from being part of Hashem's program.

The Be'er Mayim Hayim illustrates: A king once had a special
wellspring of pure water on his castle grounds. Since he wanted all of
his subjects to enjoy this wonderful water, he issued an order that
everyone should attach a pipeline to the well and draw the water directly
into their own homes. Those who were wise and respectful laid new clean
pipes to guard the purity of the water. They genuinely enjoyed the water
and loved the king for giving them this gracious gift. The lazy foolish
people, however, took old rusty and leaky pipes. Naturally, the few
drops that they received were foul smelling and repulsive. Their reaction
was, "The king is terrible and gives us horrible water." The King,
Hashem, has a life-sustaining well of blessing. All He asks of us is to
connect a clean "pipe," Torah, misvot and good deeds, to His well. Those
that construct a clean, pure conduit without foreign thoughts and
objectives, that don't leak, will drink of these waters and love Hashem
for it.

The outside world thinks that it is easier to be a partial Jew by
doing partial misvot or some misvot. However, the opposite is true. It
is more difficult to be a partial Jew than to be a complete Jew. Being a
complete Jew is easier because of the sweet water that comes flowing into
our lives. Shabbat Shalom.

WITHOUT A TRACE

"And what was done to Datan and Abiram...how the earth opened up her
mouth and swallowed them up" (Debarim 11:6)

The punishment meted out to these two wicked individuals for
their participation in Korah's quarrel is alluded to in this pasuk. It
seems puzzling that the Torah would mention Datan and Abiram and not
mention Korah, who was the central figure and chief antagonist in this
quarrel. We may derive from this apparent exclusion a lesson in the
proper approach when rebuking someone. It is extremely important that one
be aware of the feelings of the one who is being reprimanded, not to
cause him any embarrassment and discomfort.

Korah's sons, once they repented, were spared from Hashem's
punishment. They were standing there as Moshe recounted the various
incursions and transgressions of Klal Yisrael. In order not to embarrass
them, their father's name is not publicly mentioned. Datan and Abiram,
however, who were swallowed up leaving no lasting trace, are mentioned,
since no shame or disgrace can befall others with this statement.
(Peninim on the Torah)

TEACHING BY EXAMPLE

"You shall teach them to your children to discuss them" (Debarim 11:19)

The word "otam" could also be spelled with a "holam vav". Why is
the vowel here without a "vav"?

The word "otam" without a "vav", which is translated to mean
"them" can also be read as "atem", which means "you." The Torah is
instructing that in order for a parent to succeed in teaching "otam,
them" - Torah and misvot - to his children, it is imperative that it
also be "atem" - you must be a living example to your children - i.e.
they should see you learning Torah and observing misvot.

A non-observant father once sent his child to a Hebrew school.
As the child's bar misvah was approaching, he took his son to the Hebrew
bookstore and asked the salesman for a bar misvah set. The salesman
opened the box and the boy saw in it a pair of tefillin and a tallit.
Having no knowledge of theses strange items, he asked his father with a
puzzled expression on his face, "What are these?" The father told him,
"My son, this is what every Jew must have when he becomes bar misvah."
The young boy looked up to his father and inquisitively asked, "So
father, when are you becoming bar misvah?" (Vedibarta Bam)

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER

"For if you will guard and continue guarding all this command" (Debarim
11:22)

It is not sufficient to study Torah. An individual must
constantly review his Torah studies, so that they remain in his mind and
become integrated into his personality. Indeed, the Sifri ascribes to
this pasuk the admonition to repeat again and again that which we have
learned. The Torah warns that, just as one has to be careful not to lose
any penny that he has earned, he should likewise vigilantly guard against
losing any Torah knowledge that he has acquired. In Iyob 28:7, Torah
knowledge is compared to both gold and glass. Like gold, it is difficult
to acquire, while like glass, it is easy to drop and lose.

We may suggest another reason for the analogy to glass. When
glass falls and breaks, it splinters into sharp jagged pieces that are
dangerous to anyone who touches them. Similarly, coming into contact
with one who, due to a lack of dedication, has forgotten various aspects
of his Torah wisdom is hazardous to one's spiritual health. Torah is not
a secular subject that is studied merely to be remembered. Rather, it
represents the lifeblood of our people and must constantly be reviewed so
that its students become thoroughly imbued in its value. (Peninim on the
Torah)

Answer to Pop Quiz: It never wore out and it grew along with the people.

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